11 Hugely Successful 80s Bands That People Actually Hated

11 Hugely Successful 80s Bands That People Actually Hated

The 1980s gave us some of the most iconic music of all time—power ballads, synth-heavy dance hits, and hair metal bands with more hairspray than talent. But while some groups are remembered as legends, others became the punchline of the decade. These were the bands people loved to hate, whether for being overplayed, too flashy, or simply too cheesy.

1. REO Speedwagon

At the height of their fame, REO Speedwagon was everywhere, thanks to ballads like Keep On Loving You and Can’t Fight This Feeling. Their slow, dramatic style became the soundtrack for high school dances and breakup mixtapes.

The problem? They were played so much that even their biggest fans eventually rolled their eyes whenever those power chords kicked in. Critics called them overly sentimental and safe—basically, “easy-listening rock.”

Yet despite the mockery, their music is still instantly recognizable today. If you grew up in the 80s, chances are you mouthed along to their lyrics, even if you swore you didn’t like them. They may have been corny, but they made corny work.

2. Poison

Few bands embraced glam rock excess like Poison. From teased hair and leather pants to lyrics about nothing deeper than having a good time, they were unapologetically flashy.

That flashiness, however, made them an easy target. Critics slammed them as shallow, and plenty of rock fans dismissed them as a “poser” band. Still, Poison filled arenas, proving that image sometimes mattered as much as talent in the 80s.

Their hit Every Rose Has Its Thorn became one of the decade’s most enduring ballads, whether people wanted to admit they liked it or not. Poison might not have reinvented music, but they defined an era of unapologetic fun—and that’s why people still remember them.

3. Wham!

With George Michael’s powerful voice and Andrew Ridgeley’s catchy pop energy, Wham! dominated the charts with songs like Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. They were fun, colorful, and impossible to ignore.

Unfortunately, that very bubblegum appeal made them a guilty pleasure. Many dismissed Wham! as fluff with no staying power, even while secretly dancing in their bedrooms. Add in neon shorts and over-the-top music videos, and the band quickly became the punchline of many jokes.

Looking back, though, Wham! captured the carefree side of the 80s better than most. Their songs are still guaranteed to get a crowd moving, proving that “cheesy” and “timeless” aren’t always opposites.

4. Culture Club

Boy George and Culture Club weren’t just about music—they were a full-blown cultural phenomenon. With hits like Karma Chameleon, they blurred lines of gender, fashion, and style in ways that challenged the norms of the era.

Not everyone was ready for it. Critics dismissed them as gimmicky, while others simply didn’t take the band seriously because of Boy George’s flamboyant look. They were loved and ridiculed in equal measure.

Still, Culture Club managed to leave a lasting mark. Their songs remain sing-along staples, and Boy George became an icon. What some people “hated” was exactly what made them unforgettable—they were bold, fearless, and unapologetically themselves.

5. Milli Vanilli

When Milli Vanilli first arrived, they looked like the ultimate 80s pop stars: stylish, energetic, and always on MTV. Their catchy tracks like Girl You Know It’s True made them instant stars.

Then came the truth: they weren’t actually singing. The lip-syncing scandal that broke in the late 80s and early 90s destroyed their credibility overnight. Suddenly, all that praise turned to ridicule.

People didn’t just hate Milli Vanilli for faking it—they hated themselves for falling for it. The scandal overshadowed the fact that their songs were undeniably catchy. Even now, they remain a cautionary tale about how image sometimes trumps substance in pop music.

6. Bon Jovi

With their arena-ready anthems like Livin’ on a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name, Bon Jovi became one of the biggest rock bands of the decade. Their mix of glam metal and pop hooks made them unstoppable.

But popularity comes at a price. Critics sneered at them as “bubblegum metal,” accusing them of watering down rock for the masses. Hardcore rock fans weren’t impressed either, preferring “serious” bands.

Despite all that hate, Bon Jovi is still standing tall decades later. The hair may be shorter now, but their songs are still stadium staples. Love them or hate them, Bon Jovi proved critics don’t always get the last word.

7. Warrant

If you remember Warrant, chances are it’s because of one song: Cherry Pie. The over-the-top lyrics, cheesy music video, and blatant innuendo made them a target for endless ridicule.

Unfortunately for Warrant, they became the poster children for everything people disliked about late 80s glam rock—style over substance, shallow themes, and way too much hairspray. Even their other songs couldn’t escape the shadow of that infamous hit.

Still, Cherry Pie has survived as one of the most recognizable songs of its era. It might be silly, but it’s also fun—and that’s what glam rock was all about. Warrant may have been mocked, but they left their mark.

8. Men Without Hats

One song made Men Without Hats famous: The Safety Dance. It was quirky, catchy, and played everywhere.

Unfortunately, it was also one of those songs you either loved or absolutely couldn’t stand. The robotic vocals, odd dance moves, and repetitive chorus turned the band into a novelty act in many people’s eyes.

But here’s the thing: novelty or not, The Safety Dance became an anthem of the 80s. Even if you claim to hate it, chances are you’ve danced to it at least once. Men Without Hats may not have had staying power, but they knew how to make something unforgettable.

9. Huey Lewis and the News

At first glance, Huey Lewis and the News seemed like the ultimate “safe” band of the 80s. With upbeat tracks like The Power of Love and Hip to Be Square, they dominated radio and movie soundtracks.

Critics, however, labeled them bland and “dad rock.” They weren’t edgy enough for rock fans or artsy enough for new wave crowds. Instead, they carved out a middle-of-the-road spot that made them easy to mock.

Ironically, that middle ground helped them stay relevant. Their songs are still instantly recognizable and beloved, even if people joked about them at the time. They may not have been cool, but they were dependable.

10. Flock of Seagulls

Before anyone remembers their songs, they usually remember the hair. Flock of Seagulls became infamous for their outrageous hairstyles, which often overshadowed their synth-heavy hits like I Ran (So Far Away).

That look made them a pop culture punchline, but the band did help define the new wave sound of the early 80s. Still, critics mocked them as more style than substance, and their fame fizzled quickly.

Yet their music has aged better than expected. I Ran is still used in movies, commercials, and TV shows to instantly transport viewers back to the 80s. Flock of Seagulls may have been laughed at, but they also became icons.

11. Starship

Few songs inspire as much collective groaning as We Built This City. Despite being a huge hit, it’s often ranked among the worst songs of all time. That alone cemented Starship’s spot as one of the most mocked bands of the 80s.

The irony is that Starship was made up of talented musicians from Jefferson Starship and Jefferson Airplane—bands that were once considered groundbreaking. By the time the 80s rolled around, though, their sound had shifted to pure commercial pop.

The result was a band that sold millions of records but lost much of its cool factor. Love them or hate them, Starship gave us a song people still argue about decades later.